Welcome to the September issue of the Doris Day Animal League E-Newsletter.

After repeated victories in Congress reflecting the American people’s desire to abolish the practice of killing horses for human consumption, there is still one more crucial hurdle to overcome—passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 1915/H.R. 503). Nothing less will permanently end the annual slaughter of thousands of horses—both wild and domestic—whose bodies are shipped overseas to be served in restaurants and sold in supermarkets in Europe and Asia. Congress is expected to vote on this bill in early September. This is the final chance for humane Americans to rally around our nation’s horses.

Relief Workers

With many of New Orleans’ homeless animals—and the people who love them—still in desperate need a year after Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Mary Lou Randour, DDAF’s Director of Education, created and co-chaired a unique community outreach program to offer them assistance. “Psychology Volunteers for New Orleans Animals and Their People,” was a joint project of the American Psychological Association (APA) and Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO). During the APA convention that took place in New Orleans August 9–15, Dr. Randour enlisted volunteers from the 12,000 psychologists attending the conference to help maintain feeding stations, offer workshops to ARNO staff and volunteers on “Building Resiliency,” and help rehabilitate shelter animals.

The 109th Congress will reconvene for the last time on Tuesday, September 5th. So far this session, due to the lobbying efforts of groups like the Doris Day Animal League and activists like you, Congress has passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act to help ensure that states and localities address the needs of animals when formulating disaster evacuation plans. DDAL also provided Congress with the language for the federal government to create—for the first time ever—a five-year, priority plan for developing and incorporating alternatives to animal testing into its programs. But there is more work to be done. In addition to the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (see above), the Antifreeze Bittering Act (S. 1110/H.R. 2567) still awaits passage. Please don’t let September end without voicing your support to Congress for this vital bill that would prevent thousands of animals from being poisoned by antifreeze each year.

The Doris Day Animal League was founded in 1987. Its overriding mission is to reduce the pain and suffering of non-human animals, to encourage the spaying and neutering of companion animals, and to increase the public’s awareness of its responsibility toward non-human animals through legislative initiatives, public and membership education, and programs to require the enforcement of statutes and regulations which have already been enacted protecting animals. Contact us at 227 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Suite 100, Washington DC 20002. PH: (202) 546-1761; FAX: (202) 546-2193; EMAIL: info [at] ddal.org.

Welcome to the August issue of the Doris Day Animal League E-Newsletter.

On May 18, 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass the Rahall Wild Horse Slaughter Amendment, introduced by U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV). If passed into law, this amendment will negate the disastrous effect of the 2004 Burns Amendment, which was designed to send thousands of wild horses and burros to slaughter annually. We are hopeful that passage of the Rahall Amendment will help move the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 1915/H.R. 503), which seeks to permanently end the slaughter of all horses—both wild and domestic—for human consumption. H.R. 503 was heard in both the House Energy and Commerce and House Agriculture Committees. It is expected to go to the floor of the House for a vote the first week of September when Congress returns.

Since about 1960, scientists have been exploring the possibility of creating chemical contraceptives that could permanently sterilize an animal with only one injection or treatment. This would have the potential to remove many barriers that often prevent dogs or cats from being spayed or neutered by their guardians. Thanks to the gift of a generous donor, DDAL has given a $14,000 grant to SenesTech, Inc., a laboratory located in Flagstaff, Arizona, where Loretta P. Mayer, Ph.D. and her team have been conducting research on a new, permanent contraceptive for companion animals. DDAL is confident this could revolutionize the way the humane community deals with the problem of companion animal overpopulation.

Puppy mill operators Michael Wolf, Gordon Trottier, and Margaret Hills each pleaded guilty to 60 counts of animal cruelty after 333 dogs were seized from Wolf’s kennel in Oxford, Pennsylvania. The defendants accepted a plea bargain to receive reduced sentences, which the judge handed down on June 19, 2006. Miller was fined over $6,000 for his multiple criminal violations, ordered to pay $122,157 in restitution to cover the care of his confiscated dogs and court costs, and placed on 15 years probation, during which he is not allowed to own any animals. Once the case was concluded, the Chester County SPCA held two rounds of adoptions in which almost all of the dogs were placed in new homes.

Doris Day Animal League

The Doris Day Animal League was founded in 1987. Its overriding mission is to reduce the pain and suffering of non-human animals, to encourage the spaying and neutering of companion animals, and to increase the public’s awareness of its responsibility toward non-human animals through legislative initiatives, public and membership education, and programs to require the enforcement of statutes and regulations which have already been enacted protecting animals. Contact us at 227 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Suite 100, Washington DC 20002. PH: (202) 546-1761; FAX: (202) 546-2193; EMAIL: info [at] ddal.org.

Dear DDAL Animal Activist:

Welcome to the July issue of the Doris Day Animal League E-Newsletter.

Heated Debate Brings Late Thaw

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee held a mark-up on the Antifreeze Bittering Act (H.R. 2567) on July 12, 2006. While debate was heated, cooler heads prevailed and the manager’s amendment to the bill was reported favorably out of committee. The next step is for the House, as well as the Senate (where the bill number is S. 1110) to bring this important legislation to the floor for a full vote. Time is running out to prevent the poisoning of thousands of children and animals by passing this bill into law.

Investing in Alternatives

Congress established the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) in 2000 as a permanent body responsible for approving test methods that do not use animals, and recommending them to government agencies. Unfortunately, the federal government has never created a five-year, priority plan for developing and incorporating alternatives into their programs. The House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee bill calls for the first-ever plan. Now, we need to ensure the Senate bill contains the same language.

The Spirit of Compassion

The Doris Day Animal Foundation created its Animal Kingdom Kindred Spirit Award in 2002 as a way of saying “Thank You” to individuals who have shown extraordinary compassion or kindness toward animals, and to inspire others to follow their fine examples. A handful of winners are chosen by DDAF, but the majority are nominated by friends, family and community members. The Kindred Spirit Award is bestowed annually, and winners receive a letter of commendation from DDAF’s executive director, a certificate of recognition, and an Animal Champion pin for proving that one person really can help make this a kinder world.

Doris Day Animal League

The Doris Day Animal League was founded in 1987. Its overriding mission is to reduce the pain and suffering of non-human animals, to encourage the spaying and neutering of companion animals, and to increase the public’s awareness of its responsibility toward non-human animals through legislative initiatives, public and membership education, and programs to require the enforcement of statutes and regulations which have already been enacted protecting animals. Contact us at 227 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Suite 100, Washington DC 20002. PH: (202) 546-1761; FAX: (202) 546-2193; EMAIL: info [at] ddal.org.

Dear Animal Activist –

Take advantage of this opportunity for reduced registration to the 2006 Taking Action for Animals Conference in Washington DC. Register before July 15 for only $125. This all inclusive rate is for the two day conference and lobbying activities, including lunches on both days and a special conference banquet on Sunday evening.

From September 2 – 4, 2006, animal activists like yourself will join the nation’s leading animal protection organizations to motivate, train and inspire activists nationwide.

This year’s event will build upon the success of the 2005 inaugural conference and feature renowned speakers from the animal protection movement and beyond who will share their knowledge and a vision for the future of the movement.

Training sessions help develop practical skills for seasoned activists and those new to the animal protection movement. Participate in the Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, social events and opportunities for networking.

—–

The Doris Day Animal League was founded in 1987. Its overriding mission is to reduce the pain and suffering of non-human animals, to encourage the spaying and neutering of companion animals, and to increase the public’s awareness of its responsibility toward non-human animals through legislative initiatives, public and membership education, and programs to require the enforcement of statutes and regulations which have already been enacted protecting animals. Contact us at 227 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Suite 100, Washington DC 20002. PH: (202) 546-1761; FAX: (202) 546-2193; EMAIL: info@ddal.org.
Your support helps DDAL do more for the animals. Click here to make a contribution today!

While Congress continues to show an interest in the Antifreeze Bittering Act (see next item) time is running out to pass this important bill to help keep animals from dying! The Antifreeze Bittering Act (S. 1110/H.R. 2567) requires manufacturers of ethylene glycol antifreeze to add a bittering agent to make the antifreeze unpalatable. Children and animals are drawn to the sweet taste of antifreeze, which results in thousands of poisonings every year. Please contact your senators and representative and ask that they co-sponsor this bill. It is especially important to target the members of the House Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, which has jurisdiction over H.R. 2567.

On May 23, 2006 DDAL Legislative Director Sara Amundson testified before the U.S. House Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials in support of H.R. 2567. Her intelligent testimony presented a compelling case in support of this bill. Other supporters appearing before the subcommittee included Dr. Melinda Eyrich, a veterinarian from New Mexico who has treated animals poisoned to death with antifreeze, and Jeffrey Bye from Honeywell International on behalf of the Consumer Specialty Products Association. Bill sponsor U.S. Representative Gary Ackerman (D-NY) spoke strongly in support of the legislation and continues to push for passage in the 109th Congress.

With the official start of Hurricane Season on June 1st, many people have begun to plan for catastrophic storms, and so has the federal government. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act), which requires local and state authorities to include in their evacuation plans how they will accommodate household pets and service animals in the event of a disaster. While the Senate has yet to pass the bill, Louisiana’s state senate has introduced the “Emergency Preparedness Bill” to provide a disaster operation plan for service animals and household pets. Of course, a personal disaster preparedness plan is the first line of defense for you loved ones, both human and animal.